Is ‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events’ Based On A True Story’? 7 Questions Answered About Netflix Series

“Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events” has found its way to Netflix. First a successful children’s book series, the story will premiere on the streaming service Friday. But before you tune in to binge-watch Season 1 of the adventure-drama, here’s seven things you should know about the tale.

What’s The Story About?

The death of the Bertrand and Beautrice Baudelaire leaves their children Violet, 14; Klaus, 12; and baby Sunny without a guardian and right into the hands of the Count Olaf. When the Baudelaires leave the evil count in favor of other guardians, he continues to haunt them in not-so-great disguises.

“He is on a hell-bent crusade to become very wealthy through the Baudelaires’ misfortune,” Count Olaf actor Neil Patrick Harris explained of his character. “He realizes quickly that they have a lot of money, (and) if he can only find a way to rid the children, or marry the children, or somehow become their guardian, then he has access to that.”

Based On A True Story?

The dreadful events in “A Series of Unfortunate Events” didn’t actually happen (as far as we’re aware), but the book series’ family is believed to have been inspired by a real individual. Author Daniel Handler (pen name is Lemony Snicket) was inspired by Charles Baudelaire, a 19th-century Parisian poet who, by many accounts, led a very unlucky life.

“I am fond of the poet Charles Baudelaire whose most famous work is The Flowers of Evil, a cycle of poems that discusses dreadful circumstances and finds beauty in them,” Handler explained of his inspiration in a 2007 interview with Moment magazine.

Faithful To The Books?

Fans of Handler’s books won’t have to worry about watching an undeserving adaptation. “I think that fans will be very pleased by what we’re doing on the stage,” Violet Baudelaire actress Melina Weissman once said. “I come onto the set, and I’m like, ‘We are living inside of the books!’”

Harris shared a similar sentiment, telling Huffington Post last month that the show is “super faithful to the books.”

Which Books Are Included In Season 1?

Netflix has confirmed every two episodes of Season 1 will be based on one of Handler’s books in the 13-installment series. This means the freshman season will tackle four of Handler’s titles.

Whose In The Cast?

Netflix’s cast has some serious star power. The Emmy-award winner and Golden Globe nominated Harris leads at Count Olaf, a murderous man of disguise. Other big names include Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket, Joan Cusack as Justin Strauss, Catherine O’Hara as Dr. Georgina Orwell and Alfre Woodard as Aunt Josephine and many, many more.

The Baudelaire children Violet, Klaus and Sunny are played by up and comers Weissman (“Nine Lives”), Louis Hynes (“Barbarians Rising”) and Presley Smith.

Wasn’t This Already A Movie?

This isn’t the first time Handler’s story has been translated for another medium. In 2004, Paramount Pictures released the big screen adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” starring Jim Carrey. The movie raked in $209 million at the worldwide box office, but a sequel didn’t follow. Handler revealed he decided to give the story a go with the streaming service because he believed in their ability to adapt material.

“As we all know, Netflix has lured millions of people to their programming, causing them to stare mesmerized at bewitching storytelling for hours or even days on end,” Handler said in a press release. “Who better to adapt ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events,’ which is a cavalcade of abject misery — a binge, if you will, of sadness and woe?”

When Time Does It Air?

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” premieres on Friday, Jan. 13. Netflix likes to release their new titles in the early morning hours. Those on the East Coast looking to start binge-watching Season 1 on its release date are going to have a late night. Find out what time to tune in HERE.